There are no water company assets directly associated with this bathing water. However,
the South West Water sewerage schemes for Teignmouth and Torbay have had a positive
affect on the water quality here. The area is served by combined sewers, which drain
by gravity to Ilsham Valley pumping station from where flows are pumped to Torbay
for treatment.
In 2004 the Environment Agency investigated the septic tank from the public toilets
at the beach and found that it was discharging to the stream. This has been replaced
by a sealed tank which is now emptied before each bathing season to prevent further
discharges. No further investigations are planned.
For the one year (2023) assessment period where data is available, seaweed (macroalgae)
was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 29% of visits, with 57% of
visits noting the presence of seaweed (macroalgae). The bathing water can become covered
with large amounts of seaweed at certain times of the year, depending on tides and
the weather. Groynes and rocks, platforms or other fixed objects may also develop
a covering of seaweed which can be slippery.
For the one year (2023) assessment period where data is available, phytoplankton (microscopic
algae) was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed
as being present on 29% of visits. Phytoplankton (microscopic algae) naturally increase
in number at certain times of the year. This process is known as a phytoplankton bloom.
These blooms can discolour the water or form as a foam on the water. This bathing
water does not have a history of phytoplankton blooms.
The risks to human health from contact, ingestion or inhalation with marine algae
that currently occur in UK coastal waters are considered to be low. However, some
individuals may be more sensitive and display some reactions.
A common marine algae found in UK coastal waters is Phaeocystis, which is often mistaken
for sewage as it forms foam and a brown scum, but it is non-toxic.
There are no active pollution risk forecasts made at this bathing water. However any
bathing water has the potential to be affected by a pollution incident and if this
occurs a pollution risk warning with associated advice against bathing will be issued
on this website.
Streams and rivers are typically affected by human sewage, animal slurry and runoff
from roads. The small stream which flows across the beach can affect water quality
after heavy rainfall.
Environment Agency samplers make observations of litter present on the beach at every
visit, this includes assessments of sewage debris, litter and tar. At Watcombe for
the one year (2023) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris was not
noted at this site. Litter was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable,
but was observed as being present on 57% of visits. Tarry residue was not noted at
this site.
Watcombe Bathing Water reopened in July 2022. Since February 2020 the bathing water
was closed due to footpath erosion after storms and heavy rain destroyed much of original
access to the bathing water. The local authority has worked to reroute the watercourse
and created new steps to provide safe access for bathers. The catchment surrounding
Watcombe is approximately 25 hectares. There is a small stream 300m long that discharges
at Watcombe Beach. The small urban area of Watcombe is set back half a kilometre behind
the steep wooded cliffs that surround the beach.
Seaweed (macroalgae) and phytoplankton (microscopic algae) are a natural part of the
marine and freshwater environment. Below we note whether these have been recorded
in quantities sufficient to be a nuisance.
The majority of sewers in England are “combined sewers” and carry both sewage and
surface water from roofs and drains. A storm overflow operates during heavy rainfall
when the sewerage system becomes overwhelmed by the amount of surface water. The overflow
prevents sewage from backing up pipes and flooding properties and gardens. An emergency
overflow will only operate infrequently, for example due to pump failure or blockage
in the sewerage system.
Heavy rain falling on pavements and roads often flows into surface water drains or
highway drains, ending up in local rivers and ultimately the sea. The quality of bathing
water may be adversely affected as a result of such events.
It is the Environment Agency role to drive improvement of water quality at bathing
waters that are at risk of failing higher standards. It is natural for water to run
off the land to the sea. Water quality at a bathing water is dependent upon the type
and area of land (the catchment) draining to the water and the activities undertaken
in that catchment.